The Disappearing Light

"A nymph? My. I have been in the woods many times and never seen such a thing." It wasn't clear in his tone whether he was jealous or not; Sam found the idea fascinating but, as he felt about most things, terrifying too. The element of the unknown in a creature like a nymph was too much for him to be entirely comfortable. "I have read of them too, but...I've never seen one. I struggle to visualise it." Isuma was a nice name and he nodded to hear it was in the memory of another of Jigano's old friends. He wondered if this friend had been a human, or some strange other thing like he had described before, a walking lizard or woman made of clouds. "Perhaps one day, somehow, you might see her again and you can tell her you named a Gryphon for her." "I know you would not abandon me. You are loyal, Jigano, and a good friend." Better than me, he thought, but did not say, not wanting the conversation to turn to more self-pity. "Do you think perhaps after this mission we could work more on..ah...making books?" He laughed. "I have a few ideas, but with all the excitement lately I've hardly been able to work on them." Samuel He took a step but then felt tired He said, I'll rest a little while But when he tried to walk again He wasn't a child